United States

Native Americans scrap 250MW project

UNITED STATES: A 250MW wind project in California has been scrapped following a decision by the Native American land owners not to go ahead.

The reservation already has the Kumeyaay wind farm on its land

US federal government regulator the Bureau of Indian Affairs announced that it has cancelled the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Shu'luuk project in San Diego County due to local opposition.

Last year, the general council of the Campo Reservation voted against the construction of the project because of concerns over supposed health effects and the risk of fire.

Local proponents had said that they would seek a second vote, but the withdrawal of the EIA has put paid to that.

According to the project's developers, Invenergy Wind and San Diego Gas & Electric, the project was to be made up of up to 100 turbines, but a manufacturer was not named in the proposals.

The reservation already has the 50MW Kumeyaay project on its land, with 25 Gamesa 2MW turbines, which began operating in 2005.

Last December, one of the turbines exploded, shedding sparks on to the fire-prone brush land, and starting a fire. This incident was cited when the council voted against a further project.

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